Because Metropolitan Chicago is rich in theatre and entertainment choices, what is happening and where next season is divided into areas. Click northern suburbs season options for that section. City sections will be next.

First, take a look at some of the go-to possibilities west of Chicago. They are exciting enough to attract people from other areas in and around the city.

Drury Lane Theatre, Oakbrook Terrace

The Drury Lane stage will be rockin’ with classics in “Rock of Ages” Aug. 24-Oct. 15, tapping the toes with “42nd Street” Oct. 26 to Jan. 7, 2018 and cheering on the hero in Andrew Lloyd Webbers’s “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” Jan. 18 – March 25.

First Folio mounts its shows on the grounds and in the mansion of the Mayslake Peabody Estate that is a Du Page County Forest Preserve. For the fall it is producing “The Man-Beast,” a world premiere by Joseph Zettelmaier Oct. 4-Nov. 5, 2017.

First Folio productions are in the historic, atmospheric Mayslake Peabody Mansion in a Du Page county forest preserve. Jacobs photo

The second half of the season features “Women in Jeopardy,” a Chicago premiere by Wendy MacLeod Jan. 24 – Feb. 25, “Mary’s Wedding” by Stephen Massicotte Mar. 28 – Apr. 29 and “Shrew’d,” a world premiere musical adopted by David Rice based on William Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew,” July 11-Aug. 19.

First Folio Theatre is at the Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W 31st St, Oak Brook. For tickets and other information call (630) 986-8067 and visit First Folio Theatre.

Paramount, Aurora

This Aurora entertainment venue has two sides, a Broadway series and an entertainment schedule.

The full entertainment schedule which includes Penn & Teller and Jay Leno is at Paramount Events.

Paramount is at 23 E. Galena Boulevard, Aurora. For tickets and other information call (630) 896-6666 and visit Paramount Aurora.

McAninch Arts Center, Du Page County Community College, Glen Ellyn

The MAC, as the college’s arts building is known, has an almost overwhelming number of shows on its schedule. With too many to list here, best plan is to peruse its Performance Series.

However, here are some examples: “The 39 Steps” by John Buchan is Sept. 7-Oct. 8, Olivia Newton John is Oct 14, “The Best of Broadway – Rodgers & Hammerstein and Andrew Lloyd Webber” is Oct. 21-22. The holiday show is the Chicago Festival Ballet and New Philharmonic Orchestra’s “The Nutcracker” Dec. 16-17.